2027: I won’t step down for anyone – Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he will not withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, reaffirming his commitment to contest on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Atiku, a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe.

Allegations of Political Interference

In the statement titled “Nigeria’s Democracy Under Siege: Opposition Faces Existential Threat,” Atiku accused the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of interfering in the internal affairs of the ADC.

He alleged that forces aligned with President Bola Tinubu were attempting to influence the party’s choice of presidential candidate, warning that such actions posed a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

“Agents aligned with the Presidency are now attempting to destabilize the ADC from the outside—issuing reckless prescriptions about its internal affairs, particularly the choice of a presidential candidate,” the statement said.

ADC Ticket Attracts Top Aspirants

Checks indicate that Atiku is one of several prominent figures seeking the ADC presidential ticket.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, have also expressed interest in contesting under the party’s platform.

Assurance of Transparent Process

Atiku noted that all aspirants would submit themselves to the party’s presidential convention, stressing that the ADC leadership had given assurances of fairness.

“The ADC has consistently affirmed its commitment to an open, transparent, and competitive process for selecting its flagbearer,” the statement read.

Rejection of Calls to Step Aside

The former Vice President strongly rejected suggestions that he should withdraw from the race.

“Any call—overt or covert—for Atiku to ‘step aside’ is a gift to authoritarian ambition and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” the statement said.

Criticism of Tinubu Administration

Atiku accused the Tinubu administration of deepening economic hardship and shrinking democratic space.

“For nearly three years, Nigerians have endured one of the harshest periods in recent history—an era defined by punishing economic policies and shrinking democratic space,” he said.

He further alleged that the APC was working towards a one-party system.

“The objective is clear: a creeping, de facto one-party state,” the statement added.

ADC’s Role as Opposition Platform

According to Atiku, patriotic leaders rallied around the ADC to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative.

“Thankfully, patriotic leaders saw this danger early and chose resistance over silence by rallying around the ADC as the nucleus of a credible national alternative,” he said.

Final Warning and Resolve

Atiku also referred to recent remarks by government officials following Peter Obi’s public declaration of ADC membership in Enugu, describing them as signs of fear within the ruling party.

“Let there be no ambiguity: the ADC is determined to end the misfortune imposed by the Tinubu-led APC,” the statement said.

He concluded with a firm stance on defending democracy, declaring, “Nigeria will not surrender its democracy without a fight.”